I just remember the time when he took the Lib Dems to their then-highest level of power, largest proportion of votes, he then came out as having been an alcoholic, but was now off it, and getting better. Then gets booted out as leader of the Party. Such is Politics, sadly.
If you live for politics, if it is your passion, and you are trying to do good, just consider what losing your seat as an MP would do to you, mentally-speaking. All I've had in my head since hearing the news is that story of Churchill, where, upon losing the general election sat with his aid (butler/ aid/ valet/ personal assistant, I regret I forget the specific job title and the man) and he is said to have slumped to the ground, and said "and now the British people don't want me any more" and they both wept together. Such a sad tale and I for one can imagine a not-dissimilar scene at Charles Kennedy's house a few weeks ago.